Bluetooth audio quality concerns

OK, I'm opening a new thread with this one, since I would really like to gather opinions of people who are also facing bluetooth audio quality issues.

Since I got my iPhone 3G, and paired it with my bluetooth headsets, people have been complaining that the couldn't hear me well. My voice would crack up, or even not make it at all to the other side. I got a couple of new bluetooth headsets, only to find out that it wasn't the headsets' fault. That said, I would like to add, that all the headsets that seem to misbehave when paired to the iPhone, work great when in use with my older SE mobile phone.

I did some testing and found out that, the issue of my side cracking up or not sounding at all would only arise when the OTHER party was in a noisy environment (usually trying to talk to somebody in a Mall would do the trick). That said, I would also like to add that when talking through the iPhone itself (even on speakerphone), would work fine!

I am suspecting that there is an echo cancelation feature build-into the iPhone that revs up when talking through a bluetooth headset and seems to cut-off my headset's input level when strong noise it detected from the other side, presumably to avoid echo. Seems like this feature is badly tuned, in a way that communication can no longer work in an syncronous way.

What seems strange to me is that, after updating to v2.2 of iPhone software, the issue seemed to have gone away; however, it looks like it's back!

This whole situation could also be connected to various bluetooth quality issues many people are facing when using bluetooth car kits. I would suggest you try and connect such issues with the NOISE on the OTHER END.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I will try and put together a Skype call that would hopefully demostrate what I am trying to say.

iPhone 3G v2.2

Posted on Nov 26, 2008 4:23 AM

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359 replies

Oct 15, 2009 10:46 PM in response to Thanar

n0n_0perational
3.1.2 and still no fix!!!!
It's like talking to a wall..sent an email no answer, said our problems here and noone shows to ensure us that they are actually working on it.
It's so annoying that they seem to ignore our callings...
If this is going for over a year , why should we insist on this topic? Why dont we make a new one on which we ALL demand from Apple to find solution on the very next firmware update. I spent 100 euros for my BT and i can't operate it, and it's not only about money it's about that i really and I suppose we all really need to talk via BT...

Oct 18, 2009 5:12 AM in response to masterstif

I have just upgraded my system to 3.1.2 to find the problem hasn't gone away. My friend hasn't bothered to upgrade his system and he hasn't had this problem.
My problem started as soon as the second to last upgrade.
Went to the mobile phone store to see if they knew of the problem and yes they do. They said to remove the upgrades and run the same system as when I first got it.
At least they know of the problem unlike apple...

The WIFI issue sound about right as the distortion comes and goes, will try without the WIFI on tomorrow.

Oct 18, 2009 12:33 PM in response to DjohnR

This issue (the muting of the headset when there's noise on the other end) is NOT firmware-specific, from what has been analyzed in this thread. Your friend has possibly been lucky, since there have been periods when my headset also seems to be working fine.

The OTHER issue (having static and/or distortion when using APPLE's headset), IS firmware specific, but it is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT issue. Please do not post in this thread about static and/or distortion when using APPLE's headset.

Oct 19, 2009 8:46 PM in response to masterstif

Just an update from me...I've been using a Sound ID 300 for about a week now without issues. Still trying to get some answers from Apple, though. The lack of response on the issue is inexcusable. Even though I have a workaround, I want the issue resolved so I can use the model bluetooth that I like instead of one I'm forced to use, which is less than comfortable compared to the plantronics.

Oct 19, 2009 9:02 PM in response to troyy0206

Wow, just joined this forum so I could look up what I thought was just my simple problem. Yikes... I guess not! Am using the X-Link blue-tooth gateway to link my Iphone with my house phone system. No duplex. Half duplex only, all the time. My wife's Blackberry handles duplex through this same blue-tooth gateway just fine. So did my old Verizon phone. Iphone cannot.

I'm so disappointed. If I want to have a true back and forth conversation as one used to be able to do on a TELEphone, I cannot use the Iphone. Really depressing. I cannot believe this has not been addressed. I guess this is my welcome to Apple.

Oct 20, 2009 6:26 AM in response to Thanar

i have been wrestling with since I got my 3Gs In august...

I've had a Motorola H350 Bluetooth Headset since 2007 and it has worked excellently the times I use it (playing video games and talking at the same time, or on long raodtrips) anyway, when I use this headset with my iPhone, whoever I talk to says it sounds like I'm in. Wind tunnel. It's staticy, breaking out, echoey, all this. I switch to phone mode, clears it up. Switch back to BT mode And it's horrible reception again. (btw, I've muted the TV and stuff incase it was background noise interferance on my end) The headset never gave me any problems with my Sony ericcson Z520, or my wife's samsung phone. But with the iPhone it just doesn't want to work right...

im in america, on at&t using a black 16gb 3Gs with OS 3.1.2, so if i go to the apple store, do you guys thing they'd care? obviously there isnt a fix... but yeah.. maybe one more flag on teh pole? heh. i'm going to file a complaint to apples feedback here, maybe tonight. and tempted to send Moto a letter too, telling them to blast apple. and tempted to write to or go to an at&t store as well, so maybe at&t could blast apple on it too. at&t dropped the ball on MMS, but i can't see them standing for my voice plan being infringed on cause i can't use a blue tooth headset.

Oct 20, 2009 4:31 PM in response to Kamikaze-Keith__

ok just tested it out again, since i havent attempted the using of BT since 3.1. still broke. the person i was talking to was in the car, but in a parking lot and they said it sounded alright. as soon as they started driving, the bluetooth cuts in and out, and is quiet, or staticky. i switched to my sony ericsson z520 and called back, they were still driving and it sounded crystal clear. called back on my iphone, and it was garbage again. so its not the bluetooth, its not the other person's phone. theres something wrong with the iphone.



i have an apt with the apple store tomorrow... i'll see what happens.

i went by apple and at&t both today, and they were puzzled at my problem and said they've never heard of it before :/

Oct 20, 2009 10:30 PM in response to Kamikaze-Keith__

It's funny that ppl on the at&t forum think it's ur device's problem.
Well it's not, it's a general iPhone issue as we all figured out.
I've already mailed Apple twice concering this, I also sent feedback to Plantronics too, informing them that it's an Apple problem and they should find a solution together.
I hope you all try to communicate in every possible way 🙂

Message was edited by: masterstif

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Bluetooth audio quality concerns

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